Rabies is a virus that is in the saliva of an infected animal that works its way from the injury through the muscles to the nerves. Once it gets into the nerve, it travels to the spine and brain, finally causing death. It is a slow process, taking up to six months or longer.

Change of diet. Rabies acts like a stomach virus and causes cramping and pain. Rabid animal will avoid food and water because it hurts to put anything in their stomachs. Personality change. Most animals in pain will turn more aggressive; however, some will become more personable, like a child wanting its mother. Paralysis. Since rabies travels up the spine, it can cause problems around the hips of the animal. When this happens, the animal will stagger and fall. Foaming at the mouth.

No. Rabies vaccinations must be administered by a licensed veterinarian. We do offer a rabies vaccination clinic.

Some animals tend to lick their feet and most will lay their heads on their legs/feet while relaxing. Even saliva that drips from the mouth of an animal could contaminate a foot.

The high-risk wild animals are bats, skunks, raccoons, fox and coyote. The wild animals that are least likely to have rabies are opossums, squirrels, moles, armadillos, and rabbits. If you see a high risk animal in your area, especially during day light hours, avoid any contact with the animal and call Animal Control.

Many mammals carry rabies. In the western United States the Coyote, Gray Fox, and the Striped Skunk are the most common carriers of the rabies virus. Most bats are insectivorous which means that they eat insects. The Mexican Free-tailed bat is commonly found throughout the southwest U.S. A large colony of this species can consume over 200 tons of insects nightly. Other bats eat nectar, pollen, fruit, blood and even meat (i.e. frogs, fish, reptiles, and bats).

Animals with rabies may act differently than healthy animals. Wild animals may move slowly or act tame. A pet that is usually friendly may snap at you and try to bite. There are two common types of rabies. One type is "furious" rabies. Animals with this type are hostile, may bite at objects, and have an increase in saliva. In the movies and in books, rabid animals foam at the mouth. In real life, rabid animals look like they have foam in their mouth because they have more saliva.

Unlike most wild animals, opossums are highly resistant to rabies. It is extremely rare to encounter a rabid opossum, though if bitten or scratched by one, it is nevertheless advisable to see a physician immediately. Any opossum that would behave in such an uncharacteristic fashion must be assumed to be rabid.

Fortunately rabies is uncommon in Colorado. Since 1975, bats have been the primary rabies host. Because bats do not transmit rabies very well, infections in other animals are rarely seen. However, any animal bite should be reported to your physician and the local health department or animal control agency. The years of the last rabid animal cases reported in Colorado are: bat (1998), skunk (1994), cat (1985), fox (1996), dog (1974), raccoon (1963) and human (1931).

Yes, four rabies clinics are held yearly, two in the spring and two in the fall. Please call 410.632.1340 for dates and locations.

No, it has to be done by a licensed Vet. All dogs and cats need a current Rabies Vaccine by State Law.

The County sponored Rabies Clinic is held in the fall and spring of each year. It is advertised in the Free Lance Star, our website, and on local Radio Stations.

Rabies is caused by a virus that is usually spread through contact with an infected animal's saliva. In the United States, the rabies virus is found almost exclusively in wildlife. Bats, raccoons, skunks, foxes, and coyotes are the most common hosts of rabies. Small mammals such as mice or squirrels almost never have rabies. And there is no known case that they have spread it to humans. Larger rodents, such as woodchucks, are more likely to be rabid.